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Sedan Buying Guide

Sedans have been among the most widely driven types of cars on the road for the last hundred years. Their four-door body configuration means ample interior space and their hinged trunks makes them ideal for carrying small amounts of cargo. Sedans typically seat four or more people and have fixed roofs.

Sedans are technically passenger cars that have been configured to have three separate compartments for the engine, passengers, and cargo respectively. Passenger compartments in a sedan tend to be roomy, comfortable and well appointed. Sedans as a rule have two rows of seats with ample legroom for passengers riding in the back. Generally speaking, sedans should have four doors. However a number of two door sedans have been introduced over the years and some models remain in production today. Typically, the cargo compartment or trunk of a sedan is located in the rear, although there have been a number of exceptions to this over the years. Sedans are sometimes also known as saloons, particularly in the UK.

The first car to utilize the three-compartment configuration of a sedan was the Renault Voiturette Type B, a French passenger car that was introduced back in 1899. Sedans were widely produced throughout the 1920s, and began to diversify throughout the 1960s. They also continued to grow in size until the 1970s and 1980s when concerns over fuel economy brought about the introduction of compact sedans.

Sedan Variations

Over the years, automakers have produced a wide variety of different versions of the sedan. Sedans are available in different sizes as well as in four-door, two-door, and fastback models. Nowadays it’s fairly common to hear sedans described as compact, luxury, family, or sports cars.

Compact sedans are smaller than standard sedans and tend to offer better fuel economy. However even the smallest of sedans may be capable of comfortably accommodating four passengers and their belongings.

Family sedans are usually midsize or larger. These are typically four-door vehicles with roomy back seats that were designed with families with children in mind.

Luxury sedans have as much interior space as family sedans and sometimes more. They are elegantly appointed and often come equipped with every extra imaginable.

The term sport sedan has been regarded as a marketing ploy by some. Generally speaking, it’s used to denote compact to midsized sedans with sportier lines, more powerful engines and improved handling capabilities.

Popular Sedans

Sedans are among the most widely driven types of cars on the road today. Just about every major auto manufacturer makes a sedan. In fact, most make several. Some of the more popular economical compact sedans include the Honda Civic, the Nissan Sentra, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra.

Popular family sedans include the Ford Taurus, the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima, the Volkswagen Passat, the Buick Lacrosse, and the Chevrolet Impala.

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo make some of the most popular luxury sedans in the world. Other manufacturers that produce luxury sedans include Cadillac, Infiniti, Chrysler, Lexus, and Lincoln. At the very top end of the luxury sedan market you’ll find high-end manufacturers like Rolls Royce and Bentley.

Some of the more popular models of sport sedan that are available today include the Subaru Impreza, the BMW 3-Series, the Acura TSX, and the Audi A6 Sedan.

Who Are Sedans Best Suited For?

Since sedans are available in such a wide variety of sizes and styles, they can be ideal for just about anybody.

As the name implies, family sedans can be the perfect cars for families with kids. Family sedans are not only designed to be spacious and comfortable, but are frequently equipped with added safety features.

Compact sedans are more economical and get better mileage. These types of sedans are perfect anyone who is on a tighter budget. These also make good family cars, particularly for families with small kids.

If it’s in your price range, nothing says luxury like a high-end sedan. Driving a spacious, well-equipped luxury sedan like a BMW or a Mercedes is a great way to not only get there in style, but to enjoy the ride along the way as well.

Sport sedans also offer comfort and style. However these cars are typically designed with a little more performance in mind. Sport sedans are ideal for drivers who want to enjoy driving on the road as much as they want to enjoy riding in their car.